Heaters, umbrellas selling out as Queensland shivers through record cold snap

An intense cold snap has seen Queenslanders hit the shops in search of heaters and umbrellas, with retailers struggling to keep up with demand.

Queenslanders are turning up the heat this winter as they face colder than usual temperatures and unseasonably wet weather.

Those who don’t have heaters installed at home have flocked to the shops for cheap solutions, but some are finding it difficult to score portable heaters from bargain outlets Kmart and Target.

Kmart’s online store shows 10 out of 11 heaters are out of stock with many umbrellas also sold out.

A Target Indooroopilly worker said they had just sold their last heater on Tuesday.

“We’re completely sold out, it may take 2-3 weeks for them to return into stock,” they said.

“Brookside in Carindale and Mount Ommaney have a few heaters left but they look quite advanced, they’re about $200”.

Heaters are selling out across South East Queensland in the midst of the current cold snap.

The Target worker strongly encouraged those to call up different stores as the system mightn’t be showing the correct number of stock available.

Meanwhile JB-Hi Fi staff are reporting the discount electronic store only had oil heaters left at Indooroopilly.

“All the ceramic ones have sold out,” one staff member said.

The cheapest oil heater available was $250 while a ceramic heater available at a MT Gravatt store was only $129.

Shoppers are being told to search for the best deals with the longest warranty, but they might have to fork out some extra cash with higher-end products from Good Guys, Harvey Norman and Dick Smith online stores still in stock with minimal delivery wait times.

Umbrellas are also in high demand as rain continues to fall across parts of Queensland. Picture: Sarah Marshall

Those who are looking for long-term solutions might have to wait a little longer for a reverse cycle system installation, with airconditioning businesses also under the pump this winter.

Asset Air marketing manager Phyllis Tonkin said the Gold Coast business had experienced an irregular steady flow of customers lately, with most requiring maintenance for old or unused heaters.

She said many people moved house during Covid and those who suddenly decided to turn up the heat had found their systems were outdated and faulty.

“I think the biggest problem we have is that the aircon units are really old,” Ms Tonkin said.

“We’ve also seen a lot of new tenants and people moving lots and finding their units are old and often when it’s cold and people are switching on the unit, the compressor sometimes kicks out and you have part failures.”

Ms Tokin said maintenance crews were in hot demand and working hard to get to cold customers.

“Business has been quite consistent which is great in Winter because sometimes we can be dead,” she said.

“It works in threes, if we have three consecutive days or cold or heat, then we have a lot of calls for breakdowns.

“We’re working hard.”